News on Dickeya / Blackleg

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Researchers are developing bacteriocin-based treatments to help protect potato crops from blackleg and soft rot.
August 30, 2026
Scottish Researchers Develop New Bacteriocin-Based Approach to Protect Potato Crops
Scottish researchers led by the University of Glasgow have developed a bacteriocin-based treatment to suppress potato blackleg and soft rot. Supported by IBioIC the research has led to spin-out Casdu Crop Solutions.
Fresh Potatoes
January 25, 2024
New potato-threatening pathogens reported for first time in Pennsylvania, United States
Researchers of the Pennsylvania State University identified potential threats to the local potato crop by collecting potato stems or tubers that exhibited symptoms of black leg or soft rot from 26 potato fields. They were able to isolate, culture and identify 456 samples of bacteria infecting potatoes.
New Antibiotic Comes From a Pathogenic Bacterium in Potatoes
October 24, 2022
New Antibiotic Solanimycin discovered in a Pathogenic Bacterium in Potatoes (Dickeya solani)
The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance has led researchers to search for new compounds everywhere. This week in mBio, a multinational team of researchers in Europe report the discovery of a new antifungal antibiotic named solanimycin.
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar: 'Above and Below Ground: Diseases threatening sustainable potato production'
October 21, 2020
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar: 'Above and Below Ground: Diseases threatening sustainable potato production'
The World Potato Congress is pleased to be beginning its Fall webinar series on November 12, 2020, with Professor Jacquie van der Waals from the University of Pretoria, South Africa.
Important Potato Diseases and Tips to Manage them in Storage
September 18, 2020
Potato Diseases and Tips to Manage them in Storage
A key requirement for a longtime potato storage is that the storage conditions match the needs and end use of the crop. These requirements of can be assessed before harvest by doing several test digs which allow to determine the distribution and level of tuber infection.
Dickeya dianthicola is a serious bacterium that can cause tuber soft rot and blackleg (shown) in potatoes
(Courtesy: Government of Western Australia)
December 05, 2019
Online tool to detect blackleg disease in potato using DNA testing has widespread application
Scientists have developed a user-friendly online tool called Uniqprimer, which quickly and automatically designs species-specific DNA tags (also known as primers) for detecting pathogens such as Dickeya dianthicola using DNA testing.
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Lakesh Sharma, assistant professor with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and University of Maine Presque Isle, talks about trials using beneficial mycorrhizae fungi in potatoes at the Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle on August 8.(Cou
August 12, 2018
Range of potato experiments underway at Maine Research Farm (Aroostook)
Farmers, researchers and members of the public gathered at the University of Maine’s Aroostook Research Farm in Presque Isle last Wednesday to learn about the latest in potato research.
From the archive
Researchers from all over the world were in Bangor for the '2017 Dickeya and Pectobacterium Summit', organized by the University of Maine Extension.
November 17, 2017
Potato researchers gather in Maine to find solutions for the Blackleg disease
Researchers from all over the world were in Bangor for the '2017 Dickeya and Pectobacterium Summit', organized by the University of Maine Extension.
From the archive
Wilting of a potato plant caused by blackleg
August 12, 2017
Scottish Potato Industry unites to fund major Blackleg Research project
In Scotland, a group of major potato businesses and public sector organisations have sponsored a £242,000 (USD 313,000) research project aimed at reducing the impact of potato disease blackleg on the Scottish seed potato industry.
From the archive
The bacterial pathogen Dickeya dianthicola causes a disease called blackleg where potato stems decay. The disease can kill growing plants within a few days.
June 12, 2017
Colorado State University to study the spread of pathogens in US potato crops
Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner this week announced that Colorado State University will receive $264,600 in funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to study the spread of pathogens in U.S potato crops.
From the archive
Potato tuber infected with Dickeya dianthicola, a bacteria that causes the rotting disease blackleg (Courtesy: Steve Johnson)
May 11, 2017
Should Seed Potato Growers start testing for Dickeya?
The potato disease Dickeya can be detected by laboratory testing — but is there enough of it present to justify the higher costs? That is the question facing Canadian Seed Potato Growers exporting to the United States who are increasingly asked for the test.
From the archive
Microtuber potato cultivars used in research by the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program inside an environmentally-controlled growth room at the Biotron Laboratory at UW–Madison. (Courtesy: Bryce Richter)
May 09, 2017
From test tube to plate, UW–Madison program keeps potatoes clean
Years before that french fry landed on your plate, the plant that would eventually give rise to the spud your fry was cut from was sealed away deep in a secure-access building, growing slowly in a test tube inside a locked growth chamber.
From the archive
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In potato plants with milder symptoms of Dickeya, leaves are curled. (Courtesy: Amy O. Charkowski)
April 11, 2017
Guarding against Dickeya: testing your seed potatoes
With clean seed potatoes recognized as the best defense against this new blackleg-causing pathogen, the demand for Dickeya testing is growing fast.
From the archive
Three of the AHDB speakers at the Seed Industry Event held in ST. Andrews, Scotland (from left to right): Peter Hardwick, AHDB’s Head of Exports; Rob Burns,Head of Crop Exports Trade Development; Rob Clayton, AHDB Potatoes Strategy Director
November 10, 2016
AHDB committed to keep the UK Seed Potato Industry healthy
AHDB Potatoes has pledged to work closely with the seed potato sector and Scottish Government to ensure that the industry maintains a low level of the bacterial disease blackleg.
From the archive
Potato Plant wilting due to Dickeya (Courtesy: Cornell University)
July 17, 2016
Dickeya Blackleg: New Potato Disease Causing Major Impact
Dickeya blackleg, often just called Dickeya, is a new disease in the United States. It was severe in 2015 at least partly reflecting hotter weather than previous 2 years when the pathogen likely was present and is developing again in 2016.
From the archive
Potato and oat fields can be seen on the last day of planting on June 18 at Hemphill Farms in Presque Isle. The farm rotates fields between oats and potatoes. (Courtesy: Hemphill Farms / Bangor Daily News)
June 27, 2016
Potato planting in Maine complete after winter dealing with Dickeya
Maine potato farmers have wrapped up planting and are hoping for a good year.
From the archive
Blackleg symptoms in the potato plant and tuber.
May 26, 2016
New ‘Focus on Potato’ Webcast Helps Potato Growers Minimize the Spread of Blackleg
Blackleg, caused by strains of soft rot bacteria known as Dickyea, has traditionally had little impact on North American potato production, but it now appears to be on the move throughout Europe and could increasingly threaten growers in the Eastern United States.
From the archive
In this "Focus on Potato" presentation on potato blemishes, Jacquie van der Waals (Professor, Department of Plant Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa) focuses on known biotic causes.
March 23, 2016
Blemishes of Table Potatoes: Common Biotic Causes
Potato tubers are affected by a number of blemishes, which can cause severe economic losses. This 'Focus on Potato' presentation by Jacquie van der Waals, Professor at the University of Pretoria in South Africa can serve as a guide for growers and others in the potato industry to help with identification of these blemishes.
From the archive

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